In 2009, I had the pleasure of being apart of the Illustration Academy in Sarasota, FL. One of the instructors was The Great Christopher Fox Payne. He is an INCREDIBLY talented artist and such a friendly guy to boot. His illustrations have influenced me over the years and are always so fun to look at. I would stare endlessly at his artwork in magazines trying to figure out how he did what he did. So, when the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself at the academy, where Mr. Payne was giving a demo, I feverishly scribbled in my sketchbook attempting to write down every step of his process.

I wish I could tell you that I started working on his painting technique as soon as I had some paints in from of me… It actually took six years later to give it a shot.

When my class asked me to show them something new I immediately pulled out my Illustration Academy Sketchbook, found my trusty notes, and gave C. F. Payne’s painting technique a try. I’m pretty sure I missed a couple steps, but I think it’s a good effort. My brain hurt after about two hours working on this piece. I may even finish this one.